[IBL] IBL NC West next year

[Doug Palmer]

So this IBL off season will be unique for me.  For one thing, I actually
got to play into the post season with my Sand Crabs….only the 2nd time
that’s happened.  And secondly, because I dealt away most of my draft
picks.  I don’t have anything to worry about until the 4th round, which if
memory serves, will occur sometime in February (if recent drafts are any
indication).  So that’s a couple months of no IBL stuff, no IBL posts and
no IBL worries.  Whatever shall I do?

Brent and I were talking a while back about the state of the NC West and
how I was able to take advantage of a division that had several rebuilding
teams.  I couldn’t argue that as it’s the truth.  Seattle, Edgemoor and
Gettysburg were all going through a rebuilding year and as I wasn’t…I was
able to capitalize.  But now that the season is over and it’s time to look
forward to IBL 2020, I thought I’d take a closer look at the NC West and
how they actually shape up for next year.  And a part of me wishes that I
hadn’t.  Note that all that I did was take a look at the rosters (after
cuts) and figure out who their starters would be moving forward (making
some wild assumptions).  For the hitters, I simply compared WAR and OBP.
For pitchers, I looked at WHIP and the number of innings.  It’s not very
scientific, but I wasn’t looking to do a 25 page dissertation on the
subject.

Seattle Rainiers
[image: image.png][image: image.png]


The Rainiers really don’t have any corner infielders (as of now) but they
do have a pick in each of the first four rounds.  They also have an
abundance of good center fielders, so they’re ripe for a deal to snag a
couple good corner men.  But don’t worry about the hitting…it’s the
PITCHING that will really make them go next year.  It’s obscene the amount
of starting pitching that they have (QUALITY starting pitching).  Being
able to wheel out Strasburg, Giolito and Darvish…with Castillo, Gray and
Duffy behind them.  Wow.  Just get them a pre-eminent reliever and Seattle
is going to be tough to beat.

Edgemoor Cannons:
[image: image.png] [image: image.png]

The Cannons have another good lineup heading into 2020 with a murder’s row
of Devers/Brantley/Correa/Judge that nobody will be able to pitch around.
Edgemoor has a pick in each of the first 3 round, only missing out on a 4th.
Starting pitching is a bit thin, but there’s nothing wrong with wheeling
out Hendricks, Syndergaard and Vargas every 5th day.  They could use
another starter or two and should be able to snag something in the draft
(or via trade).  Edgemoor has some more work to do, and I would normally
say that I wouldn’t be surprised to see a trade or three….but EDG doesn’t
trade much.  Only 3 current players are there because of trade.  Patrick’s
team is made up of wise FA claims and good drafting.

 Gettysburg Generals:
[image: image.png][image: image.png]

The biggest wildcard of the bunch.  If you looked at Brents team RIGHT NOW,
you’d be wondering who’s gonna be in the OF and who’s gonna be the SS next
year.  But unlike the other 3 teams, GTY is chock full of draft picks this
year.  The #7 and 9th overall in the 1st round alone.  6 picks in the first
4 rounds will help GTY flesh out a lineup that will compliment a very nice
pitching staff.  Another theme of the NC West next season is going to be
pitching.  How did the West get all the good starters??  Might not match
SEA’s starters, but GTY has a very nice 1-2 pop out of the pen.



Baltimore Sand Crabs:
[image: image.png][image: image.png]

Last but not least, the team most likely to go from 1st to 4th next
year….my Sand Crabs.  Don’t get me wrong, I look at this lineup and can see
a .500 club.  There’s balance in the batting order as nobody stands out
(like Judge for EDG).  The bench is decent but not deep.  As for pitching,
a solid rotation but compared to the other three rosters, ouch.  Fiers,
German and Happ are essentially interchangeable.  Same with Hand and
Brasier in the pen (a nice lefty/righty combo).  Where BAL will hurt is in
the draft, where we only have a 4th round pick from OXY.  That’s it.
German, Pinder and Sipp were in essence the 2020 draft for BAL.  But that’s
how we roll.  17 players on the roster acquired via trade.  Chuck Finley
ain’t got nothing on these Crabs!

So IBL 2020 for the NC West will be a division worth watching.  No more
rebuilders over here.  My guess is Seattle will slowly draw away from the
pack as the season progresses with EDG and GTY battling for a wildcard.  If
the Crabs are within shouting distance at the end, we’ll be happy.  And
then, who knows.  Maybe NYK or SNH will be beatable for a change?
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